Frank Averill Explores How Company Culture Changed to Allow Pets

During the global pandemic, many people have been able to work from home, spending quality time with their pets. As the pandemic eases and more offices reopen, people may be concerned about leaving their beloved pets at home after being accustomed to being with their owners at all times. Many companies are considering allowing employees to bring their pets to work, specifically dogs.

Having a pet-friendly workplace policy can be a bonus in terms of company culture. Having pets in the workplace makes employees happier and more relaxed. However, it can be a problem when people have allergies or a fear of pets.
Frank Averill, an experienced electrician and the owner of Averill Electric, describes how having pets at work can enhance company culture and the policies that companies should put in place before allowing pets in the office.

Concepts of Company Culture

Company culture is defined as the shared characteristics, attributes, and values of an organization. It includes all of a company’s attitudes and behaviors. It governs how employees interact with each other, their decisions, and the values they hold.
Companies that make a concerted effort to cultivate and improve their internal culture are at the forefront of organizational change. They can support their employees’ growth and development in a professional and personal sense.

How Allowing Pets In The Office Improves Company Culture

Allowing employees to bring their pets to the office signals that the company cares about its workers’ well-being and wants to support its external obligations. Workplaces where pets are allowed are generally more relaxed and friendly than more formal work arrangements.
Understanding how pets improve company culture requires an examination of the effect that pets have on people.

Other Benefits of Pets in the Workplace

Having pets in the workplace is also associated with better recruitment. A positive company culture associated with pet-friendliness can be an excellent benefit to consider when looking at a new company.
Employees who bring their pets to work are likely to get more exercise than those who do not. Pets require regular walks, so pet owners have to take breaks from work and escort their animals outside. Getting outside at regular intervals is associated with higher productivity.

Examples of Companies with Pet-Friendly Policies

Google

The Internet behemoth has had a dog-friendly culture for many years. Employees who have well-behaved dogs can take advantage of the policy and enjoy having their pets at their desks with them. Google also provides some pet-friendly conveniences for its employees, like dog water bowls in the office and waste bag dispensers outside.

Amazon

Employees may bring up to two dogs to work with them if they have their manager’s approval. They must have current vaccinations and licenses. When “accidents” occur, it is possible to summon a janitor.

Practical Considerations and Possible Drawbacks

Companies that allow dogs in the workplace need to make sure that their office cleaning standards are high. Pet hair needs to be cleaned up regularly, and there needs to be a policy in place for any pet accidents that may occur. Pet-friendly companies often have to spend money on accommodations for employees’ animals, including building dog parks and installing waste bag dispensers.
There are also drawbacks to having pets in the office. Many employees suffer from allergies and would be discouraged from taking jobs at a pet-friendly company. Others have long-standing and severe fears of dogs and other animals. These employees are less likely to be recruited by a pet-friendly company.
Cat owners may feel discriminated against due to dog-friendly policies, but most cat owners agree that bringing their pet into an environment where there are so many dogs would be stressful for them. In addition, cats are less likely to want to stay at an employee’s desk like dogs. They could also stir up trouble with the dogs in the office.
There could also be legal issues regarding having pets in the office. While most dog policies require that “well-behaved” animals are the only ones allowed in the office, problems will inevitably occur since pets can be unpredictable. Employers need to ensure that they have legal protections against being sued by an employee who a coworker’s dog bites.

The Beneficial Effect of Pets on Company Culture

In conclusion, allowing employees to bring well-behaved pets to the office, specifically dogs, are associated with a friendlier, more open company culture. Employees who bring their pets to work report that they feel less stressed and more productive. Having pets in the office also presents more opportunities for employees to relax and spend quality time together, building office relationships.
Frank Averill of Averill Electric believes that the potential for pets in the office is great. He also advocates building strong policies that govern exactly how pets in the office should be handled to prevent legal issues and other headaches.